The Inspection Area of the Food Microbiology Lab carries out analysis on every type of food mould for researchers and third-parties.

The lab’s services also include documental consultation to evaluate the safety and hygiene of food products (challenge testing) and for food storage testing. Moreover, the lab offers consultations on regulations for food production, labelling and ISO audits and certification.

Its qualitative and quantitative research of food pathogens is made by microbiological analysis of food for humans. The evaluation of safety, hygiene and durability of food products is conducted by experimental inoculation with pathogenic bacterium (challenge testing) and shelf-life testing.

Challenge tests identify the ability of food to support a increase of pathogenic bacteria that could modify its composition. These types of tests simulate a product’s progress from production and packaging to distribution, and even show its usage by the consumer. These tests are important to estimate the increasing (or decreasing) potential of bacteria, yeast or mildew. They are conducted according to the UNI EN ISO .20976-1 law published in June 2019.

Shelf-lifetesting gives an estimate of the maximum life of a food product, and consequently the commercial life producers wants to give their products.

The analysis can forecast the appearance of specific characteristics of bacteria, yeast and/or mildew, identify species, possible production of biogenic amines and antimicrobial resistance.

Contact the Technical manager, Riccardo Miotti Scapin, for more information.

Inspection Area - Food Microbiology Lab staff

Scientific Expert and Manager: Prof. Valerio Giaccone
e-mail: valerio.giaccone@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2976

Technical Manager: Riccardo Miotti Scapin
e-mail: riccardo.miottiscapin@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2607 / +39 049 827 2612

Other professors and technicians

Prof. Paolo Catellani   
e-mail: paolo.catellani@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2966   

Prof. Leonardo Alberghini
e-mail: leonardo.alberghini@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 2766

Tools used

• Cappe chimiche e biologiche BIO HAZARD
• Omogeneizzatore da laboratorio Stomacher
• Thermostats
• Autoclaves
• Bunsen burners

Lab hours

Mon to Fri: 08.30 - 15.00

For more information, please contact:

Edificio Stecche – Stecca I - Agripolis,
Viale dell’Università 16
35020, Legnaro (PD)
Tel: +39 049 827 2607
e-mail: riccardo.miottiscapin@unipd.it